Having joined us in 2023, Brad is a pre-construction graduate who is taking part in the two-year Graduate Development Programme, working closely with contracts managers, and land and construction directors on the logistics of building a site.
Having graduated from the University of Exeter with an English and History degree, Brad started to look for roles suitable for new graduates. Since his Dad worked as a purchasing buyer in the construction industry, Brad had work experience in several different construction departments and knew he wanted to do something within this sector.
Brad was offered a place on the programme which is a benefit for those who decide to opt for a career in housebuilding and might not have initially studied this subject.
Although he had a handful of other offers, Brad’s first choice was Cala, so he was delighted to accept the role.
Brad said: “I had enlisted my dad to help me with the search for the best graduate positions out there, and he was the perfect man for the job thanks to years of industry experience behind him. I had a couple of interviews with other companies, but I knew I wanted to join the Cala team.
“Cala was my first choice because I had looked further into the culture and values, and they resonated with me more than the other companies. One of the other reasons was due to the warm welcome from everyone I came across, both in my preliminary or in person interviews.
“Not only did they offer competitive pay, but there was also plenty of benefits for employees including private health insurance and generous holiday allowance. Cala also has a fantastic brand reputation in the industry.”
The pre-construction role focuses on the logistics of building a site, so Brad deals with build routes and programmes but also site access, traffic management plans and local services. Brad’s work week varies with time spent on site, in the office and working at home where he works on information for land bids for both future and current sites. He works closely with construction directors and contract managers to keep sites in check and to make sure they are following the programmes.
Before completing the programme in 2025, Brad will have the opportunity to experience two rotations within the business, his first starting in March where he’s hoping to work with one of the site teams and then within Cala’s sustainability department.
“One of the major benefits of the graduate scheme is the two rotations where you can spend three months with a different team of your choice. My preferences were working on a site, getting to know the day-to-day activities in a practical environment, before joining the sustainability team. I would like to have as much knowledge as possible about how our homes will look in the future as I work on future sites we hope to launch as far as 2026.
“If I were to start at Cala without the graduate programme, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to rotate and get to know the wider teams. Socially it’s a big benefit and having a strong network as you progress through the business is an incredibly positive starting point.”
Brad hopes to progress in his career with Cala once he completes the graduate scheme, although one thing he will miss is the regular catch ups with the other graduates.
Brad continues: “At the induction day, I had the opportunity to meet all the other graduates from every region and department of the business and every few months, we regroup for a training session or to work on group projects. It’s nice to have this extra support as we all are all in the same position.
“I can’t recommend the programme enough for those thinking about applying. Cala is a fantastic company to work for. There’s a great culture, competitive pay and plenty of benefits, not to mention lots of opportunities to progress which is something I’m passionate about.”
